Container for fragile cookies or the like



Oct- 12, 1954 G. c. GETTELMAN CONTAINER FOR FRAGILE COOKIES OR THE LIKE' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Hay 19 1951 INVENTOR. Www

Afro/@M5545 Oct. l2, 1954 G. C. GETTELMAN CONTAINER FOR FRAGILE COOKIES OR THE Filed May 19. 1951 ni imm@ wunfmymw LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. l2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'CONTAINER FOR FRAGILE COOKIES OR THE LIKE Gilbert C. Gettelman, Milwaukee, Wis., assigner' to Charles A. Wilkinson, Milwaukee, `Wis.

Application May 1'9, 1951, Serial No. 227,156

3 Claims. l

This invention relates to containers for fragile cookies or the like.

There is an increasing public demand for high quality cookies, particularly :for those rhaving a high butter content. Cookies of :this type are extremely fragile, and-it has not `been possible to provide for boxed shipment thereof, .because `no container heretofore available was capable of preventing excessive breakage.

With the above in-mind, it is` a general object of the present invention to provide an improved container which is so rconstructed'fthat breakage of even the most vfragile-cookies is prevented.

-A further object of the invention is to provide an improved container of the classl described wherein each cooky is individually hermetically sealed in a separate pocket of anv elongated envelope, which envelope is formed lof-oil .proof and moisture proof material to maintain the cookies in fresh condition indefinitely.

A further object of the invention is lto provide an improved container of the class described wherein the cookies are suspended in a -novel manner in the envelopes .andout ofcontact with each other.

A further object of the inventioniis to Aprovide an improved container of the-class described having a novel framefin which the cooky Vcontaining envelopes are suspended, said lframe bei-ng so constructed that the filled and sealed envelopes can be conveniently inserted therein v"prior "to placement of the frame'in the container.

A further object of the invention fisto provide y a container of the class described wherein the frame includes a pair of spaced, parallel end members formed with slits Ifor snugly receiving the end portions of the envelopes, said envelopes being formed with offset-portions at each end, which portions are Adisposed `outward-1y of the .end members of the frame; whereby the .ends of the envelopes are prevented from "being pulled 4longitudinally inwardly through -the slits Aof said frame members. y

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved container of lthe class Vdescribed wherein the spaced end members of the frame are each formed with a foldable reinforcing iiange for preventing yinward bowing `of said frame members, said flanges also servingas handles for carrying the loaded frame during placement of said frame in the container, and said flanges being formed with cut-away portions communicating with the adjacentV slits Yof the frame members to permitinsertionor removal of the ends of the envelopes from said slits.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved container of 4the class described wherein opposite walls of each envelope are sealed together along its upper edge, the sealed together area extending downwardly from Said edge por- 2 tion and said -edge being adapted to contact a cushion pad underlying the container cover to form a resilient vshock absorber for the cookies in the envelope, the opposite edge of theenvelope being spaced from 4the bottom lof the container by the frame.

A lfurther object of the invention is to provide an improved container of the class described wherein the cooky containing envelopes are made of transparent material, and wherein .the frame acts-to support said envelopes in an inclined position without permitting contact lof adjacent envelopes as vrWell 'as to attractively display .the cookies when the containercoverisremoved With the above and other `objects in view, :the invention consists of v.the improved container `for fragile cookies or the like, and all of .its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the drawings accompanying and rforming a part of this specication, wherein is shown one completeembodiment of -the preferred form yof the invention, and wherein like characters oi reference indicate -the same parts in all of the Views:

Fig. 1 -is a plan view ofthe frame removed from the container and in a position for loading, two filled envelopes being shown inposition therein;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the frame shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is aside elevational view of the frame as indicated by .the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of one of the improved cooky containing envelopes alone, the cookies being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the improved container in loaded condition with the cover removed, a portion of the cushion pad being broken away; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical .sectional view of the loaded container `taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 5 showing the container cover in position.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing, the numeral IIJ indicates a rectangular container having a bottom wall II, a pair of opposite side Walls I2 and I3, and a pair ofv opposite end Walls I4 and I5. Positioned within the container I0 is a frame I6 which is shown most clearly in Figs. 1 to 3. The frame I6 includes a ypair of spaced, parallel, elongated and preferably rectangular cardboard end members I'1 and I8, eachhaving a length substantially equal to the length of the inner surface of the end walls I4 and I5 of the container I0. The frame members Il and I8 have a height substantially greater than the height of the side and end walls of the container I0 and are formed with a score line I9 extending longitudinally members Il and I3 which is above the score line I9 is bendable to form a reinforcing flange 2i. The frame members I'I and I8 are also formed with spaced, parallel slits which are preferably inclined and which extend downwardly from the score line I9 to a point spaced from the bottom edge of said members.

The flanges 2l of the members I'I and I8 are also formed with cut-away portions 22 which communicate with the upper ends of the slits 2t for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Adjacent their ends the members Il and I3 are each formed with a vertical slot 33 which extends downwardly from the score line I8 approximately half the distance to the lower edge, and which extends upwardly from the score line IS a distance substantially equal to the length of the cut-away portions 22. Intermediate the length of the members I'I and IS, an inclined slot 24 extends downwardly from the score line I9 parallel with the slits 26, the slot 2d having an upward extension projecting into the ilange 2I for a distance substantially equal to the height of the Cut-outs 22. As shown in Fig. 3, each slot 24 extends downwardly approximately half the distance to the lower edge of the member in which it is formed.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, spaced, parallel, elongated rectangular frame members 25 and 26 each have a length substantially equal to the '3 inside length of the side walls I2 and I3 of the container, and have a height slightly less than the height of the side and end walls. The members 25 and 26 are formed adjacent each end with a slot 2l which extends upwardly from the lower edge thereof approximately half the distance to the upper edge, thereby forming a tongue 28 outwardly of said slot.

The longitudinal frame members 25 and 26 are positioned with their end portions interlocked in the slots 23 of the frame members Il and i6 as shown in Figs. l to 3, the tongues 23 extending through the slots 23, and the slots 2l receiving the portion of the members I'I and I8 below the slots 23. The members 25 and 26 are formed with a plurality of equally spaced slots 29 which extend downwardly from their upper edges approximately half the distance to the lower edge, as shown in Fig. 2.

Referring also to Fig. 6, a plurality of elongated, rectangular frame members 36 having a length equal to the length of the members I'I and I8 and having a height equal to the height of the members 25 and 26, are formed with end slots 3l, similar to the slots 2'! of the members 25 and 26, said slots forming tongues 32 outwardly thereof. The end portions of the transverse frame members 36 are interlocked with the longitudinal frame members 25 and 26 as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 6, with the tongues 32 positioned outwardly of themembers 26 and 26 and with the portion of the frame members 353 above the slots 3I being received in the slots 29 of the members 25 and 26.

The transverse frame members 36 are formed with a plurality of spaced, parallel, inclined slots 33 which are preferably alined with and parallel to the slits 26 of the frame members il' and I3. The slots 33 are preferably wider than the slits 2B but of substantially the same length, and the upper ends of the slots 33 may be outwardly flared as shown in Fig. 6. Each of the frame members 36 is also formed with a slot 36 which extends downwardly from the upper edge and which is parallel to and alined with the slots 24 in the members I'I and I3. An intermediate longitudinally extending frame member 35 has a length substantially equal to that of the frame members 26 and 26 and is slightly wider. The frame member 35 is formed with slots 36 adjacent its ends, said slots extending upwardly from the lower edge and being similar to the slots 2l' of the frame members 25 and 26. The member 36 is formed with a plurality of intermediate slots 3l which are similar to the slots 36 and which are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between the frame members 3i). The longitudinal frame member 35 has its ends interlocked with the frame members Il and It in the inclined slots 24. The intermediate portions of the member 35 are interlocked with the transverse frame members 30 in the manner shown in Figs. l and 6, so that the portion of each of the frame members 36 which is below its slot 36 is received in a slot 3l of the frame 35. Similarly the portion of the frame member 35 which is above each of the slots 3l' is received in a slot 34 of one of the transverse frame members 36.

Referring to Fig. 4, the numeral 38 indicates an elongated envelope which is prefeerably made of flexible, transparent moisture proof and oil proof thermoplastic sheet material. The envelope 38 may be made from a single extent of sheet material having a length substantially equal to the inner length of the side walls I2 and I3 of the container and having a width equal to approximately twice the length of the slits 26 and slots 33. This sheet is folded along its longitudinal centerline and is then heatsealed at its ends in a manner to form oifset retaining portions 39, as shown. The osets 39 are made by forming indentations in the sealed-together end edge portions of the opposite walls of the envelope, adjacent indentations extending in opposite directions, as shown in Fig. 3. The envelope 38 also has its opposite walls heat-sealed to each other along a plurality of transverse lines 46 which are spaced apart in a manner corresponding to the spacing of the frame members 36, to form a plurality of cocky pockets therebetween. A cocky, indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. l, 4 and 5, is inserted in each of the cocky pockets of the envelope 36, and the open longitudinal edge of the envelope 38 is then heat-sealed throughout its length for a substantial distance inwardly from said edge, as at 4I. This hermetically seals each cocky in a separate pocket of the envelope 38.

In loading the improved container, the frame I6 is arranged as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 with the flanges 2I folded outwardly. Envelopes 38 which have been filled and sealed are then loaded into the frame by having their end portions inserted through the cut-away portions 32 of the flanges 2i with the oiset portions 39 at the ends of the envelopes located outwardly of the frame members I'I and I8 and below the score lines I9. Those portions of the envelopes 38 which are located immediately inwardly of the offsets 36 are snugly received in the slits 2i] of the frame members I'I and I8, and the heatsealed intermediate portions 4I] of the envelopes are received in the slots 33 of the intermediate transverse frame members 30, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 6. In Fig. 6 cookies i2 are positioned in those envelopes 38 which have been loaded into the frame I6.

When the frame I6 has been completely loaded with filled envelopes in the manner described, it can be bodily picked up by grasping the flanges 2|, and can then be readily placed in the container I0, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. A rectangular cushion pad I43, which may be formed of cellulosic material, and which has a length and width slightly less than the internal length and width of the container I0, is then laid on top of the loaded frame within the container. The flanges 2| are then folded inwardly over the pad 43, as shown in Fig. 5, and a cover 44 is fitted onto the open top of the box, as shown in Fig. 6.

The slits 20 and slots 33 in which the envelopes 38 are positioned, are spaced apart a suflicient distance to prevent contact of adjacent cooky carrying envelopes. While the inclination of the slits 20 and slots 33 is preferably in the neighborhood of 30 from the vertical, the angularity may be anywhere within the range of zero to 45 from the vertical. The anges 2| of the members II and I8 not only serve as handles by which the loaded frame can be carried, but more important, they serve as reinforcing bridging members, when folded to the position of Fig. 5, to prevent inward bowing of the end members I1 and I8.

It is apparent that the cookies are in a suspended condition so that any shocks to which the container may be subjected will be absorbed by the flexibility of the envelopes. AThe envelopes 38 are spaced from the bottom of the container I0 by the frame members I'I, I8 and 30, and the heat-sealed upper marginal portion 4|, with the cushion pad 43, forms an eiiicient shock absorber to prevent shocks acting through or against the cover 44 from being transmitted to the cookies.

Due to the fact that each cooky is hermetically sealed in its own pocket in the envelope 38, the cookies remain fresh indefinitely. The use of transparent sheet material in the envelopes 38 combined with the inclination of the envelopes as they are supported, provides an attractive display of the cookies when the cover 44 and the pad 33 are removed from the container.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination a container having four upright walls and having an open top, a plurality of spaced supporting strips positioned edgewise in and extending between a pair of walls within said container, means for holding said strips in said position, the outermost strip on at least one side having a flange foldable on its upper edge and provided with a free edge, each strip having spaced slits extending downwardly from its upper edge, and there being extension slots in the flange of said outermost strip which communicate at one end with the slits in the strip, the other ends of said extension slots terminating short of the free edge of the flange, corresponding slits in the several strips being disposed in rows which extend transversely of the strips, a plurality of elongated envelopes with each envelope engaged in a row of slits, each envelope having an end retaining extension which is of less length than the extension slot in said flange whereby when said flange is folded over the top of the container it serves to retain the envelopes in position and whereby when it is folded outwardly the retaining extensions of the envelopes may be removed through the extension slots of the flange.

2. In combination a container having four upright walls and having an open top, a plurality of spaced supporting strips positioned edgewise in and extending between a pair of walls within said container, means for holding said strips in said position, the two outermost strips each having a flange and said flanges having free edges which are foldable toward and away from one another, each strip having spaced slits extending downwardly from its upper edge, and there being extension slots in the flanges of said outermost strips which communicate at one end with the slits in said strips, the other ends of said extension slots terminating short of the free edges of the flanges, corresponding slits in the several strips being disposed in rows which extend transversely of the strips, a plurality of elongated envelopes with each envelope engaged in a row of slits, each envelope having end retaining extensions which are of less length than the extension slots in the flanges, whereby when said flanges are folded over the top of the container they serve to retain the envelopes in position and whereby when these flanges are folded outwardly the retaining extensions of the envelopes may be removed through the extension slots of the flanges.

3. In combination a container having four upright walls and having an open top, a plurality of spaced supporting strips positioned edgewise in and extending between a pair of walls within said container, means for holding said strips in said position, the two outermost strips each having a flange and said flanges having free edges which are foldable toward and away from one another, each strip having spaced slits extending downwardly from its upper edge, and there being extension slots in the flanges of said outermost strips which communicate at one end with the slits in said strips, the other ends of said extension slots terminating short of the free edges of the flanges, corresponding slits in the several strips being disposed in rows which extend transversely of the strips, a plurality of elongated envelopes with each envelope engaged in a row of slits, each envelope having end retaining extensions which are of less length than the extension slots in the ilanges, whereby when said flanges are folded over the top of the container they serve to retain the envelopes in position and whereby when these flanges are folded outwardly the retaining extensions of the envelopes may be removed through the extension slots of the flanges, and a removable cover for the open top of the container positionable over said flanges when the latter are in envelope retaining position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,682,069 Conway Aug. 28, 1928 1,779,335 Remrey Oct. 21, 1930 2,195,740 Salflsberg Apr. 2, 1940 2,377,602 Belden June 2, 1945 2,501,570 Larsen Mar. 21, 1950 2,582,476 Buttery Jan. 15, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 584,200 France Nov. 14, 1924 291,329 Great Britain May 31, 1928 752,771 France July 24, 1933 

